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4 May 2016

Let's Bee Social #123

Introducing Crafted Appliqué ...... New Possibilities by Lara Buccella. I became acquainted with Lara through the Let's Bee Social soon after she started her blog. A couple of weeks ago I received my copy of Lara's new book and was so excited to finally get a peek inside of this cool new book! On her blog,Buzzin Bumble, Lara had introduced her readers to the fact that she was writing a quilting book and then, much later, she shared a photo of the cover. I was drawn in by this retro styled campy design on the cover. And my curiosity increased! What was this new method of appliqué?

It has been wonderful to develop a friendship with Lara through our online visits back and forth. But, even though I thought I was familiar with her style.... I was pleasantly surprised to find that there is so much more going on behind the scenes, as evidenced by some of the gorgeous projects she shares on the pages of her book!

These are two of my favourites....

Lara provides an in-depth introduction to the crafted appliqué method, well written instructions and beautiful templates for some really creative projects. Although each of these projects is so very tempting, they will have to wait! Because I settled quite by accident into being inspired to make something else.

You see, I was recently visiting with my mom. And she sent me home with a request for an alteration to her spring jacket. Mom wanted me to replace the lining of the sleeves. They weren't damaged or ripped. But she wanted them replaced with some cotton fabric. After 50 years, I know her well enough not to ask why. I just agreed that I could do this for her if that's what she wanted.

I found the perfect yardage in my stash. This large floral print. It had just the right palette to match the peachy outer fabric. And a touch of pink and yellow to compliment. I felt it was a shame that no one would ever be able to see this bright and happy fabric. The light bulb moment came for me at that moment. I would use the remainder of this fabric to make my mom a "matching" table runner for her birthday - which is tomorrow!

And as you can see.....

This funky runner was a quick make using the Crafted Appliqué method,which promises that your raw edges won't ever fray,even after washing.

Normally I would have used a satin stitch around all my raw edges.
So very time consuming. And really not very attractive.

THIS IS SO MUCH EASIER!
It's pretty....

And it was so much FUN!!!!

Crafted Appliqué… New Possibilities Blog Hop runs from May 1st to June 5th 2016

Lara has generously offered a copy of her book as a giveaway on every stop of the tour, so make sure you hop to each of the other bloggers, found on the calendar above. To win a copy here, just leave a comment about your experiences (or inexperience) with appliqué, at the bottom of this post, and be sure to use the Rafflecopter below to be entered in the giveaway.

Please don't wait to see if you win a copy. Lara has assured me you will be reimbursed if you purchase a copy and then turn out to be the winner. Or, if you were that lucky, you could gift the winning copy to a crafty friend you love. This book is a must have - whether you are an old hat at any method of appliqué or have never tried it before. Have you had an unsatisfactory result with a method you have tried in the past? I promise you... The Crafted Appliqué method is going to be my go to method from now on. I highly recommend you buy a copy. Make it a part of your May is for Makers pledge. Amazon is currently sold out (if that gives you any indication of how hot this book is!!!) with more copies due on May 5th, but you can order a signed copy, right from the author herself, by clicking here.

Hi Lorna! Your mother may use short sleeve blouse and then the slevves with the slippery fabric don't feel nice; she will love the new flower sleeves! Table topper is beautiful! Now I make applique circles and they take quite much time. I like also raw edge applique. x Teje

As a die hard appliquer, I'm intruigued by finding another method. I'm a fan of both satin stitch and raw edge for the different styles they give, but am always up for a quicker method!Your runner is just lovely x

The very first quilt I made (well started first) was a huge applique project. Being new to Quilting and taking on the applique was almost enough to make me pull my hair out a few times, but I stuck with it and 9 months and over $700 later I had it done and given to my niece who had begged me to make her a quilt and just kept wanting it to be bigger all along the way. She treasures it so I think it was all worth it. I would love to learn new techniques though because I know I wasn't the most efficient at it. Lol. I look forward to all your blog's and read them religiously. Your quilts are amazing and inspirational. Please keep posting and keep up the great work as well!!!

Usually use satin stitch or zig zag round edge. Need to try ordinary sewing stitch as something new. I think it's a case of making sure the edge looks neat! Looks a super book.fabricstasher24@gmail.com

I've tried many different types of applique and have been happy with a lot of the results. But I've always gone by the "rule" that if it is something that must be laundered I only use turned edge applique. So I generally keep those things to only simple shapes. This new technique looks so amazing, and really opens up the possibilities for what I might do with applique. I think I need this book!

I too picked up a copy of Lara's book and was very intrigued with her method. I have never really appliqued before and looking forward to trying her method. You redo of your Moms spring jacket is adorable, love the fun fabric and what a super cute runner.

Ahh, me and applique....I've done a few projects and all have been raw edge (haven't learned how to do needle-turned). I like the speed of RE applique, but I DON'T like those pesky little threads that fray no matter what stitch I use. Lara's method sounds intriguing, I will definitely have to check it out! I think it was a genius idea to make your Mom a table runner with her old sleeve lining. It's so fun and fresh looking, she's sure to love it!

Looking at your beautiful Table runner - it intrigued me how the appliqueing was done. Love how you interwove your flower petals - just like they would in real life. Your mom will love her new lining - maybe roll up the cuffs just to show it :)! I used to do a lot of appliqueing, till my old sewing machine couldn't handle it anymore. I really enjoyed it - didn't know any other way to make quilts, till I learned to make 'blocks' a few years ago - which opened up a whole new wonderful world to me. I'll have to check out this new applique method.

This needs to be my year of applique as I have started several BOMs and QALs that include applique, most which I did not know would include it when I started - lol. I have started with the starch method and have made some shapes, but I have not attached them to the backgrounds yet. The jury is still out on my success!

I love this book and I love your table runner. And I feel horrible because I have NEVER appliquéd anything. I can just CRY :-( I feel like the little kid who was left locked up in the bathroom when you all went to the appliqué picnic - boo hooI will ask Lara to give me a personal session. Yeah, I know - Dreaming big!!!Hugs,Preeti.http://sewpreetiquilts.blogspot.com/

I love applique -- my first quilt was applique! However, I don't do as much anymore because I don't like the frayed edge look of raw edge applique, and am unsatisfied with my points in turned edge. This book may be the answer to my problem! Thank you for a chance to win it. lynnstck(at)yahoo.com

I always have problems getting around corners neatly with satin or buttonhole stitches. I have never done raw edge straight stitching.This book looks interesting. Can we all get as nice results as you, Lorna?

This sounds so interesting, I'm really looking forward to seeing a copy of this book. Right now I'm working on 5 applique blocks for a wedding quilt - machine stitching them with a small buttonhole stitch. Pet peeve, that I can't do needle-turn applique better, but those tight curves and corners do me in!

Your mom's new jacket lining is now so lovely that she'll be looking for reasons to oh-so-casually roll up her sleeves, just so people can see how pretty it is! It's amazing that you had it in your stash, because it matches like they were meant to be. It's no wonder you wanted to use it to create a birthday surprise for her.

Lorna, I love what you did by turning the flowers into broderie perse applique' and creating that gorgeous table runner too! Your stitching is perfection and clearly you have a gift for applique'! I'm so happy that you took my new method and flew with it! And even more thrilled that you loved it enough that it will be your go-to method! I too find now that I don't want to applique any other way. Thank you for such a marvelous review!

My only experience with applique is a class I took in Houston last fall. I have to say I didn't love it, so maybe this new technique is what I need to try again! I do really like the way applique opens up so many more possibilities to quilts, so I want to learn to love it :-)

I love a quilt with applique. However, I've never fell in love with the process of applique. I want to but haven't. I've ordered a copy and cannot wait for my copy to get to me. From what I'm hearing this might be the technique I've been dreaming of.

I am newish to applique but love it! I am very interested in what "crafted" applique is! This book looks fun and I can't wait to get my hands on it! The floral print for the jacket lining is awesome! So fresh and fun!!!

I do love applique and create applique all the time. I am curious about Lara's method. It's been kept such a secret that I hope I win a copy of her book! The only thing about using fusible applique that I use the most is the time it takes to cut out all the pieces. I could invest in one of those Brother's Scan and Cut machines, but then I would be spending as much as a sewing machine and have to learn to use it! I doubt if Lara's method would be able to help me with the cutting part.

I think I know why your mom wanted a replacement--I have a spring jacket with polyester-lined sleeves and it gets way too warm. Cotton is much more comfortable! I love your project with Lara's method. I am definitely curious. I have never cared much for applique because of the time and I don't have zig zag for overcasting. This method seems just right!

This book looks like alot of fun. Yes, I do use applique. My vision is not good enough for the needle turn method, so I tend to use fusible. What I don't like about the fusible is how the "hand" changes. However, when I did a project with dresden plates and I could just "apply" without fusible to the quilt, I liked that alot better.

I had never been attracted to applique, preferring the angular look of paper piecing, but over this past year I have been softening to it and in fact did some raw edge and needle turned applique. In certain quilts applique has it rightful place. I'd definitely be interested in Crafted Applique.

I have always wanted to applique and recently we had a lady come to our quilt guild to teach needle turn. Her method was fairly easy. But I am all for learning new techniques, especially if it speeds things up and looke as nice as the authors.

I love to hand applique. The hardest part for me is to find the right fabric for the applique. Some fabrics I want to use for stems cannot be used on bias. Yes, sometimes the bias of the print is directional.

My vintage machine doesn't have the buttonhole stitch, and when I use a straight stitch I often end up with corners or points that just don't want to stay down. Eager to learn a new technique!basaran.family@rogers.com

I love your table runner! So pretty and a great way to try out Lara's technique! I have just dabbled in applique, and tried both hand machine methods of stitching it down. I'm looking forward to checking out her new ideas!

I love what you did with the flowered fabric! I have tried applique and as long as the edge is straight, I can get by. But give me a curved edge, such as flowers and leaves, and it's a bit of a bugger!

I am just working on my very first applique project - a baby quilt and am using a blanket stitch. Working hard to get the corners/turns just right. Can't wait to try more. kathleendotlutzatcomcastdotnet

Love the table runner. I don't do a lot of appliqué, but I just happen to be quilting a wall quilt for my oldest granddaughter that has an appliquéd red elephant on it. (She goes to the University of Alabama) I have had several frustrations with it. I had trouble catching all the edge when I did satin stitch. This is the first time I have done it with this machine. I don't remember having trouble with it with my other machine. I also made the mistake of not cutting out the center of the fusible material before I applied it to the back of my fabric. I also think I chose the wrong batting. Lessons learned!

I have done only a lil' Hand Applique (2 wallhangings..) I loved it...but only thing..I was soooo slooow..took long time to finish. lol Am trying Raw-edge Applique lately..goes faster using sewing machine! :) This book looks amazing...and encouraging me to try again...Thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way! :D

I like raw edge appliqué the best, and either stitch around the edge with straight stitch, or just fuse it and not worry. I like the look of turn-under, but not so keen on the time investment. Love your table runner. Turned out great. Thanks for sharing the giveaway!

This looks like a great book. I love applique, but haven't done it lately. The only thing I don't like about it is when I am hand appliqueing and I want a great point, but don't get it 100%. Thanks for the opportunity acbeier71@gmail.com

my last two pieces were raw edge, paste basted and blanket stitched. but I've a hard time following that edge, so ... i'm going to have to have this book and lara's secret! thanx for the opportunity to win a coopy.

I'm very curious about this new method. I don't do much applique because I don't have the patience for it. When I do, I zigzag or satin stitch around the edge, and I'm not particularly good at following curves.

Happy Birthday to your mom...I'll bet she loved her table runner! If she didn't, send it my way! I do like applique and my problem with it is not getting the satin stitching even. It gets jerky and doesn't always look good.

I am still learning applique. Right now, needle turn is my favorite but I just got a new sewing machine that might work better for machine applique. My old one didn't have a blanket stitch and the zigzag was horrible.

I'm not greatly experienced in appliqué, having recently tried to create a few blocks using blanket stitch. I think the next project will use satin stitch, since hand stitching does take a fair bit of time. Thanks for the giveaway. tania.hodges at gmail.com

I too have Lara's book and am creating a little mug rug with her applique technique and her method is so much easier!! And...it's looking great! PS Love your thrifty tablerunner...I'm sure your mom will too.

Okay, so both of my first two quilting classes included some appliqué, the turned edge technique. I have avoided anything with turned edges ever since just because fiddley and my fingers don't go well together...this book of Lara's is so intriguing! And your table runner is uber cute!!

Wow! you've totally intrigued me with this great book review, talk about a must-have! Lara's method obviously greatly inspired you to make something, and that table runner is just genius! I'm sure your mum will love it!

I have appliqued a little. Using the fusible applique'.... which is great for mug rugs and small projects. But I don't like not being able to sew closely to the edges on a big project, to stop the edges from fraying.Susie

I love to appliqué. I trace and sew a design on the interfacing and fabric, cut and X and turn inside out. The hardest part is to get all the shapes right and to get into little itty bitty pieces to turn them.

I do appliqué. I've used the technique where you sew it to fusible backing and flip it. It's great for circles and simple shapes, not great for what you've done. Totally would love how to do something odd shaped like those flowers!

Thanks for your generous giveaway. I have done every kind of applique, from a king size needle turn quilt, to machine applique, to Eleanor burns style double sided, to my degree in pressology with double sided fusible... I'd love a new take on the process! My pet peeve is that my fingers are not as nimble as they used to be and my stitches aren't quite as tiny, but I keep at it!

Love your work. I just did some applique, but used a satin stitch on my sewing machine. This quilt is going to one if my great granddaughters who just turned 7 and I was afraid if the applique was done by hand, it could get a toe or finger that would mess up all my work.

I am just starting applique trying some edges with the satin stitch and some with the straight stitch. I prefer the straight stitch but using the free motion settings on my domestic home machine. It stitches so much faster this way, I get a nice consistent stitch length with some practice and this makes the process so much more enjoyable to me. I am excited to get and read Lara's book for ideas and inspiration and if I happen to win another book I shall gift it to my quilting buddy! Thank you so much for sharing Lara's book!

I love to applique and currently use fusible web. It is frustrating when I iron on the fusible web, cut out the piece and realize the fusible web does not cover the whole piece. I am interested in learning a new technique. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of Lara's book.

I enjoy applique both by hand and by machine but I have to let you know this book blog hop has piqued my interest. I hate, or should I say Hate, really HATE shaggy appliqued shapes! I hope your Mom loved this fabric for her new lining and the bright bouquet Birthday table runner, how fortunate that you got both commitments done so nicely and quickly with that bright floral fabric.Right now I am hand stitching a rainbow for my OMG May project - the next step will be layering and appliqueing shamrocks via machine.Thanks for the chance on winning this book.

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